Social Justice: Asian American Studies

The Associate in Arts for Transfer in Social Justice: Asian American Studies degree is designed to prepare students who wish to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in the field of Asian American Studies at the CSUs. Since Asian Americans are sometimes grouped with Pacific Islanders, students wishing to pursue a deeper understanding of Pacific Islander communities are recommended to take ES 6: Introduction to Pacific Islands and Oceania Studies. Asian American Studies was born out of the struggle for social justice and relevant education in the 1960s, along with other Ethnic Studies programs. Today, it furthers the understanding of diverse Asian American histories, cultures, and contemporary experiences, using an intersectional lens. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary and socially engaged scholarship, research, community service, and activism as they can be applied to addressing injustices and empowerment of the Asian American community (and the Pacific Islander community should students take ES 6). A degree in Asian American Studies can support work in diverse Asian American communities and can lead toward any of the following career pathways, including: Education, Law, Social Work, Immigrant Rights, Civil Rights, Journalism, Public Health, Community and Union Organizing, Non-profit/social justice work, Government, Public Policy, Community Development/Urban Planning, International Relations. Recipients of the Associate in Arts for Transfer degree are guaranteed admission with junior standing at a campus of the California State University system by completing 60 semester units that are transferable to the California State University, to include: The California Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC), a minimum of 18 semester units in a major or area of emphasis, grade "C" or better in all courses required for the major and general education, and earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. A “P” (Pass) grade is also an acceptable grade for courses in the major if the course is taken on a Pass/No Pass basis, where a Pass is defined as a “C” or better